Bridgewater police Lt. Tom Schlatz said Tuesday that the police report detailing a hazing incident that took place in January at Bridgewater-Raynham High School is completed. Schlatz said they will not be pressing charges against any of the students involved.

Amy Carboneau

The investigation into a hazing incident involving several Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School wrestlers has ended without any charges being filed.

Bridgewater police concluded their work on the matter Tuesday, Lt. Tom Schlatz said, but the department would not release a report they compiled or comment on the matter. Schlatz said only that they would not be filing charges against any of the wrestlers.

In January, the program was shut down and the team’s four varsity captains were suspended for striking teammates who under-performed with a belt or a broom handle.

The incident damaged the highly regarded and successful program, and led to the firing of its coach, Jeff Francis of Raynham.

“I’m glad it’s over,” Superintendent Jacqueline Forbes said. “What came out still stands, and I don’t think there’s any need to further comment on it. ... So hopefully it’s come to closure.”

The police report matches what the school investigation uncovered, said Forbes.

Forbes described what happened in a January written statement:

“The incidents that occurred involved teammates taking it upon themselves to discipline fellow teammates for poor performance. The discipline consisted of striking teammates who did not perform as expected with a belt or a broom handle.”

The school’s investigation led to eight-day suspension for the team’s four captains, a two-week team suspension from a practices and meets, and the firing of Francis. School officials took action against Francis because they said he did not report the incident to them immediately.

School Athletic Director Dan Buron named former assistant coach Fred Conrad to replace Francis, who has staunchly denied wrongdoing and threatened to sue the district. His attorney, James W. McCarthy II, said he sent a letter to Forbes last week looking to settle the case.

“The bottom line,” McCarthy said, “is if we didn’t settle it – and I didn’t mince my words about this – there would definitely be a lawsuit against her and the district.”

McCarthy said Francis wants to clear his name.

McCarthy said the district owes Francis $1,800 from his severed contract, and wants an apology from the school, which he said fired Francis without proper cause.

McCarthy said he is also pushing for the district to give Francis, who built the vaunted program over his 25 year tenure, his job back.

Amy Carboneau may be reached at acarboneau@enterprisenews.com, or follow her on Twitter @amycarboneau.